An aspiring entertainment journalist has completed the final leg of a nationwide competition, meeting a whole of host of stars along the way.

Selected from 500 entries, Kristy Harper, 22, was chosen in February to be one of six budding entertainment reporters to cover some of the world’s most exclusive events.

Over the past few months, the sociology graduate has rubbed shoulders with actors at the Oscars in Los Angeles and the Cannes Film festival in France, interviewed bands in the Austrian mountains, burnt rubber at the Spanish Grand Prix and met Barbadian beauty Rihanna.

Organised as part of Nokia’s X6 All Areas Entertainment Reporter contest, Miss Harper from Kings Langley completed her final assignment visiting Cannes Film festival on Friday, May 21, having just returned from an interview with Rihanna in London and the Spanish Grand Prix.

Describing her experience, she said: “At the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, I got to watch the F1 drivers qualifying and meet a couple of them.

“One of the best bits of the trip had to be visiting the Mercedes garage, where Ross Brawn, Michal Schumacher and Nico Rosberg hang out with the most beautiful cars on the planet. It was amazing.”

Following the Spanish Grand Prix, her next assignment was to attend R ‘n’ B star Rihanna’s gig at the 02 Arena in London.

She said: “Rihanna was lovely – ridiculously gorgeous with an amazing voice.

“She came on stage dressed in a sparkly body suit with shoulder pads half a meter wide, belted out a number before getting on a giant pink gun in a Mickey Mouse hat, while all the time pitch perfect.

“The whole show was full to the brim with props, dancing and 80’s style –I loved it and I got my picture taken with her.”

After the concert, Miss Harper headed to France for the Cannes Film festival, where she saw filmstars from the X-Men movie, as well as actor Benicio Del Toro.

She said: “I expected to see the odd celebrity walking around, but I didn’t expect to see so many, I was stunned.